Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 2024 Discussion

[equinoxmist]

I wonder how much it costs them to run Valhalla now, following the refurb? Before it was renovated, there was strong evidence to suggest it was nearly £1m per year, which is insane.

Apparently it still has reliability issues and somedays they just don't open it.

 

[rob666]

Do you mean closed for essential maintenance?
Starts very late sometimes, closes very early sometimes, and sometimes the two overlap a little, and bang, closed all day.

 

[danlouislucy]

Yes there is. I do, and I don’t think I’m the only one.

I have done this Saturday just gone to be fair, Nash on a non wheel seat was arguably as smooth as Wicker imo

 

[ScottishChris]

Apparently it still has reliability issues and somedays they just don't open it.

I spoke to one of the engineers last season who pretty much stated that the majority of the late openings is that the Ops team don't start to cycle it early enough so if there is a sensor fault they can't get it cleared or changed early enough.

I believe (and this is unsubstantiated and opinion only) that the biggest fault with the Valhalla ride system in where the boat detection sensors need to be located and the fact the ride is full of turbulent water. Literally with how low the boats run in the trough, sensors are positioned reeletitively low which means splashes and waves do cause false detection which causes faults in the software. They also seem to switch out sensors fairly frequently due to water ingress.

I would also suggest that if sensors need replaced, by the time this is done and the system reset, and cycled for safe operation you could be looking at 1 - 2+ hours (depending on the sensor location and the need to stop the pumps). So if you have a 12pm ride open and a 4/ 5pm park close, and other attractions are needing support it may make more sense to deal with Valhalla after-hours. Not saying it's right... but operationally it makes sense.

So, yes it is reliability issues. But I would say it is more the 'nature of the beast' rather than poor maintenance. The BPB maintenance crews are phenomenal - the fact that they do so much in house too is a real credit to their craft.

 

[Benjsh]

That would be a masochist not a sadist.
I truly enjoy the National.
It isn't impossible at all.
It has everything to do with taste.
And personal opinion.
Please don't challenge anyone on here for their preferences...
"You don't like what I like, so you must be telling lies or completely wrong."
Every opinion is sacred round here, that is why I like the fair open debate.

Edit...Sorry Craig, replied to a post before completing reading the topic...again.

What is so difficult about this??? I'm not challenging anyone on their preferences at all. I love Wooden and Steel coasters myself. You're totally missing the point I'm making.

But I still don't truly believe you actually enjoy the ride experience. You're just emotionally attached to an iconic attraction and I totally get that. If it wasn't an iconic ride and it rode like it does you'd definitely think differently I reckon. That's the point I'm trying to make but obviously failing to do so.

If your preference is to be incredibly uncomfortable on a coaster and have your body battered for a few mins then I'm just not getting it. That's just weird mate.

If it was much smoother it would still be a brilliant ride of course it would as who doesn't love a racing coaster with a good layout. One of the big reasons the park is failing is because this ride and a few others too are no longer enjoyable for the masses. Steeplechase is another. It's got to the point I don't ride either of them anymore and I'm sure I'm not alone.

Nothing to do with preferences on ride types though. Maybe preferences on pain threshold would be more apt. Hahaha.

 

[Rob]

Just a little reminder of what Craig posted last night...

What people enjoy/don't enjoy about any coaster is subjective - when it comes to classic rides like Nash even more so. Those opinions aren't going to be changed just because other people believe the opposite. This is a Blackpool Pleasure Beach discussion topic, and most are looking at this topic for updates about the park rather than arguments about why people should or shouldn't personally rate a coaster higher or lower.

So at this point, let's just agree to disagree on the subject of your own personal preferences and stick to discussion and updates about the park itself. Thanks

So if we can move on from this now, that would be just great. Thanks!

 

[equinoxmist]

I spoke to one of the engineers last season who pretty much stated that the majority of the late openings is that the Ops team don't start to cycle it early enough so if there is a sensor fault they can't get it cleared or changed early enough.

I believe (and this is unsubstantiated and opinion only) that the biggest fault with the Valhalla ride system in where the boat detection sensors need to be located and the fact the ride is full of turbulent water. Literally with how low the boats run in the trough, sensors are positioned reeletitively low which means splashes and waves do cause false detection which causes faults in the software. They also seem to switch out sensors fairly frequently due to water ingress.

I would also suggest that if sensors need replaced, by the time this is done and the system reset, and cycled for safe operation you could be looking at 1 - 2+ hours (depending on the sensor location and the need to stop the pumps). So if you have a 12pm ride open and a 4/ 5pm park close, and other attractions are needing support it may make more sense to deal with Valhalla after-hours. Not saying it's right... but operationally it makes sense.

So, yes it is reliability issues. But I would say it is more the 'nature of the beast' rather than poor maintenance. The BPB maintenance crews are phenomenal - the fact that they do so much in house too is a real credit to their craft.

Great info thank you. No shade meant at the maintenance team, as you said they are a credit to their craft, they do much stuff in house, sometimes due to necessity, it is fantastic.

 

[OtherBen]

went to blackpool for the first time ever yesterday.

11 - 5, got on every coaster barring right lift hill nash and yellow line steeplechase (closed all day) with 3 rides on icon. minimal queues. never queued more than 10 minutes for anything.

look, the rides are generally rough and i shan't be rushing back anytime soon but as someone who's a first time visiter i thought valhalla was brilliant, probably my favourite water ride ever (and i've done chiapas), and i enjoyed the heritage rides. grand national was better than wickerman for me - i've always thought wickerman was bland apart from the theming - whereas i laughed my way round nash, janky as it is.

but yeah, place is falling apart. it's in a shocking state compared to the parks i've been to over the last few years in europe.

 

[shakey]

On the home page of the pleasure beach website it states "Over 20 rides & attractions for children regardless of height"

But on the height restriction guide it is only 19, and that includes Grand Prix which is still listed as an attraction even though it is closed for good.

So it's only 18 , and 5 of those are currently closed for "maintenance". (Impossible, Alpine Ralley, Thompson Carrousel, Dora and River Caves), so make that 13!!

Visiting with friends in a couple of weeks with a 2 year old, so was just checking what they could go on.









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[Mark84]

On the home page of the pleasure beach website it states "Over 20 rides & attractions for children regardless of height"

But on the height restriction guide it is only 19, and that includes Grand Prix which is still listed as an attraction even though it is closed for good.

So it's only 18 , and 5 of those are currently closed for "maintenance". (Impossible, Alpine Ralley, Thompson Carrousel, Dora and River Caves), so make that 13!!

Visiting with friends in a couple of weeks with a 2 year old, so was just checking what they could go




Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using

The height guide only includes proper rides not all attractions. So guessing the claim would include the puzzle maze, Bradley and Bella’s learning garden, team Nick stage & character appearances and possibly some of the additional charge attractions if any are suitable.

 

[shakey]

The height guide only includes proper rides not all attractions. So guessing the claim would include the puzzle maze, Bradley and Bella’s learning garden, team Nick stage & character appearances and possibly some of the additional charge attractions if any are suitable.

Yes I suppose so, but it's a bit rubbish they have Grand Prix still on the website when it is clearly not going to reopen.

And in a park that has around 30 rides , it is pretty poor that 7 of them are currently out of action , and at least one permanently.

I also don't like the "Planned Maintenance" claim. In most cases it is just a simple case of saving on staff wages.

I wish they would just start being honest. Ok, I get they don't want to say they are keeping rides closed to save on costs. But they could simply say a ride is scheduled to open for the main season (assuming it is of course).

Big One closed on opening weekend was clearly not "Planned Maintenance" so just tell the truth or something close to the truth, say it is closed because of a last minute technical problem. Which it probably was. I don't think anyone would have a problem with that.

But the park just talk rubbish and lie.






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[AT86]

Planned Maintenance" so just tell the truth or something close to the truth, say it is closed because of a last minute technical problem. Which it probably was. I don't think anyone would have a problem with that

To be fair to Pleasure Beach on this particular point, it’s very common for parks to use the phrase ‘planned maintenance’.

Saying a last minute tech problem might make sense to us geeks, but for a significant portion of the general public that comes across as ‘this ride isn’t safe!’, ‘does that mean all their other rides might have something wrong with them?’ Etc etc.

‘Planned maintenance’ is the lesser of two evils in terms of messaging.

 

[pjanvil]

I thought Amanda still hadn't made a final decision on Grand Prix which is why its SBNO and not just removed from the website. Guessing because they thought they might demolish it if they decide to they didn't want to pay for insurance/staff this year hence its a cost saving even if they do decide not to remove it in the end?

Personally I'd much rather they kept Grand Prix (at least for now) and focused on the area around the fountains, like Trauma Towers and Wild Mouse site before removing more rides as that North area of the park needs work much more then the current area around Grand Prix.

 

[Ryan]

I thought Amanda still hadn't made a final decision on Grand Prix

I wonder if she'd be open to people asking her more questions about this?

 

[Shaggy_Dog_]

I wonder if she'd be open to people asking her more questions about this?

Would so love a Mandy AMA on Reddit! That would be fun.

 

[shakey]

To be fair to Pleasure Beach on this particular point, it’s very common for parks to use the phrase ‘planned maintenance’.

Saying a last minute tech problem might make sense to us geeks, but for a significant portion of the general public that comes across as ‘this ride isn’t safe!’, ‘does that mean all their other rides might have something wrong with them?’ Etc etc.

‘Planned maintenance’ is the lesser of two evils in terms of messaging.

Yes , I get your point , but even the most unclued up punter would have known the Big One was due to be open on the first weekend. They didn't put the planned maintenance up until the morning of the opening day as far as I know. So nobody was buying that.

And a tiny children's carousel closed for planned maintenance for probably a month, after the park has been closed for the last three months. Even the children that ride it could work out it's not for planned maintenance

Regarding Grand Prix, they have taken the ride signs down, even the one attached to the roof, so I can't see them doing that if they are going to reopen it. But it's Blackpool so who knows.

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[John]

The height guide only includes proper rides not all attractions. So guessing the claim would include the puzzle maze, Bradley and Bella’s learning garden, team Nick stage & character appearances and possibly some of the additional charge attractions if any are suitable.

Don't forget the fountains!

 

[Ryan]

Would so love a Mandy AMA on Reddit! That would be fun.

Is a Reddit DAMA a thing?

 

[ScottishChris]

Yes , I get your point , but even the most unclued up punter would have known the Big One was due to be open on the first weekend. They didn't put the planned maintenance up until the morning of the opening day as far as I know. So nobody was buying that.

And a tiny children's carousel closed for planned maintenance for probably a month, after the park has been closed for the last three months. Even the children that ride it could work out it's not for planned maintenance

Regarding Grand Prix, they have taken the ride signs down, even the one attached to the roof, so I can't see them doing that if they are going to reopen it. But it's Blackpool so who knows.

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Planned maintenance is a great term for parks to use. It puts all the blame on the punter...
"We came all this way to ride PMBO, but it isn't open. I'm very unhappy."
"PMBO is down for planned maintenance. If YOU checked online or called us we could have told you it wasn't open. YOU are the idiot for not checking. You have no right to be upset or annoyed."

The great thing about Planned Maintenance too - it can be planned in 20 minutes before the scheduled opening - and it still [technically] is planned maintenance.

 

[venny]

On the home page of the pleasure beach website it states "Over 20 rides & attractions for children regardless of height"

But on the height restriction guide it is only 19, and that includes Grand Prix which is still listed as an attraction even though it is closed for good.

So it's only 18 , and 5 of those are currently closed for "maintenance". (Impossible, Alpine Ralley, Thompson Carrousel, Dora and River Caves), so make that 13!!

Visiting with friends in a couple of weeks with a 2 year old, so was just checking what they could go on.









Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

There’s a new leaflet available in the park for rides which guests of any height can ride. It is appallingly written, and for a leaflet that’s supposed to be clarifying a subject for people, it actually does the opposite.

The leaflet suggests for example that you need a ticket if you’re going to ride anything except the train, but then goes on to say you need a ticket even for that. It also suggests riders need to be able to stand on their own to ride anything but the train and River Caves. It then suggests you also need to be able to stand on your own to ride those rides too.